The natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) is a toad native to sandy and heathland areas of Europe and the United Kingdom. Adults are 60–70 mm (2.4–2.8 in) in length, and are distinguished from common toads by a yellow line down the middle of the back and parallel paratoid glands. They have relatively short legs, which gives them a distinctive gait, contrasting with the hopping movement of many other toad species.
Natterjacks have a very loud and distinctive mating call amplified by the single vocal sac found under the chin of the male.
Life history
Natterjack toads callingNatterjack toads at Talacre, WalesEgg stringsPuddle with tadpolesA very young natterjackA slightly older natterjack, though still not fully grown
Natterjacks live for up to 15 years, and feed mainly on insects, especially beetles. At night, they move around open terrain with sparse vegetation, and their tracks can often be seen in loose sand. They move considerable distances each night, enabling the species to colonize new habitats very quickly.
Reproduction
The natterjack toad spawns between the end of April and July, laying strings of eggs in shallow, warm pools. Because the natterjack toad is often present in low numbers, its loud mating calls are important so that the sexes can find each other.
Natterjacks can only spawn in pools that have a very slightly sloping bottom, and tolerate only sparse vegetation on the banks and in the water. Since pools of this description are often temporary, sometimes the tadpoles die when the pools dry out. The natterjack compensates for that risk by mating over an extended period each summer. Thus, in September, the age of the juveniles can vary from one to three months. Early breeders seldom breed again later in the season, though some females do spawn twice in a year.
Distribution
Populations of the natterjack extend through 17 European countries.[2] In the UK, the toad is now almost completely confined to coastal sites. The natterjack is the only species of toad native to Ireland. It is found in County Kerry (Dingle Peninsula and Derrynane) and also in County Wexford, where it was introduced to a dune site.[2][3]
In mainland Europe, particularly in the southern part of its range, it lives inland in a variety of habitats.
Conservation
UK
In the UK, the threatened status of the species resulted in a national Biodiversity Action Plan designating it as one of three protected amphibians. Reasons for its threatened status[citation needed] include:
^Korky, J.K. (2008). "Notes on the 2007 breeding season of the Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita Laurenti (Anura: Bufonidae) in Ireland". Bull. Ir. Biogeog. Soc. 32: 21–31.
^"Natterjack toads return to North Wales". 11 June 2001. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Toads from Merseyside have repopulated former strongholds in sand dunes around Talacre, with the help of the Herpetological Conservation Trust.
Beebee T and Denton J (1992) An evaluation of survey methods for studying natterjack toads (Bufo calamita) outside the breeding season. Amphibia-Reptilia13: 365–374.
Beebee T and Denton J (1996) Natterjack Toad Conservation Handbook. English Nature, Peterborough.
Herpetological Conservation Trust (2009) Natterjack Toad Species Action Plan. Bournemouth.
The Herpetological Conservation Trust (undated) Natterjack Toad Survey Guidelines. Bournemouth.
Natural England (2011) Standing Advice Species Sheet: Natterjack toads. Sheffield.
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